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CO‐TRIMOXAZOLE THERAPY: PLACE AND PROSPECTS
Author(s) -
O'GRADY FRANCIS W.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
medical journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.904
H-Index - 131
eISSN - 1326-5377
pISSN - 0025-729X
DOI - 10.5694/j.1326-5377.1973.tb111180.x
Subject(s) - medicine , trimethoprim , intensive care medicine , antibiotics , therapeutic index , combination therapy , pharmacology , drug , biology , microbiology and biotechnology
The in‐vitro activity and range, in addition to relevant pharmacokinetics, of trimethoprim and sulphonamides are discussed as a basis for possible therapeutic uses. The combination of these drugs has proved useful in a wide range of common infections, such as respiratory, genito‐urinary and intestinal infections, and less common infections such as brucellosis and nocardiosis. Successful long‐term use of TMP/SMX for the control of chronic bacteriuria is reported. A substantial proportion of patients remained free from infection when therapy was discontinued. The place of the combination in serious infections when a parenteral preparation might be preferred is uncertain. Theoretical objections to using a fixed combination of drugs are discussed. Enhanced activity of the combination in vitro is well documented, and the emergence of resistant strains is likely to be delayed by using the drugs together. To find the optimum ratio and dosage for each infecting organism in individual patients is impracticable and probably unnecessary. Toxicity appears to be low. Consequently, until further information is available, it would seem prudent to continue to prescribe the available combination rather than resort to administering trimethoprim alone.